In Peoria Unified, fiscal responsibility is far more than a procedural requirement; it is a promise I make to every student, family, employee and community member we serve. As someone who is still new to this district, I have been both impressed and inspired by the strong foundation of financial transparency and accountability that has been built over many decades. I am fully committed to continuing that legacy and ensuring we remain prepared for the future.
This past year, Peoria Unified was once again recognized with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). This honor, awarded for our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, marks 37 consecutive years of excellence in financial reporting, a milestone very few districts can claim. That consistency reflects the exceptional work of our finance team and the high expectations we hold for financial transparency.
Moreover, Peoria Unified School District has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to transparent and responsible financial management, receiving an unmodified, clean audit opinion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The independent audit, conducted by Advisent Assurance, identified no financial statement findings and no federal award findings, reaffirming the district’s designation as a low-risk auditee.
Public education is one of the most significant investments a community can make. I take deeply to heart the responsibility of ensuring that every dollar entrusted to us is used to strengthen opportunities for our students and support for our staff. Our financial reports are published publicly for anyone to review. This level of transparency is not only intentional; it is essential to maintaining the community’s trust.
Our team continually evaluates how to maximize the impact of every resource. That includes everything from energy-efficient facility upgrades to competitive compensation packages that help us attract and retain exceptional educators. It also means ensuring we can sustain high-quality programs, whether in the arts, career and technical education, special education, or student safety and well-being. We know strong financial practices directly support stronger bond ratings, long-term program stability and the ability to meet our community’s evolving needs.
As proud as I am of what we’ve accomplished, I’m equally focused on the challenges ahead. School districts across the country are navigating shifting enrollment patterns, inflation and changing operational needs. These realities require diligence, innovation and collaboration. With the continued support of our families, staff and community partners, we are well-positioned to respond thoughtfully and proactively.
Over the past several months, we have shared the financial challenges facing our district as we work to close a projected structural budget gap in FY2027 driven by November’s loss of voter-approved override funding, continued enrollment decline and rising costs of underutilized facilities. The district leadership team partnered with the Governing Board to develop a plan that strengthens long-term financial stability while protecting the high-quality academic experience our community expects.
While the stabalization plan reduces our budget by $21 million, it also allows the district to maintain its strong maintenance and operations carryforward balance, which is like a savings account, and is a factor that determines the district’s financial risk. Additionally, it maintains programs that drive enrollment and make Peoria Unified the number one educational choice for families in the Northwest Valley, such as class sizes, free full-day kindergarten, elementary athletic programs and school nurses.
If a future maintenance and operations override is not approved, the district will face a budget reduction the following year that will impact the educational experience for students and families.
Learn more about Peoria Unified’s override, which has been in place since 1996, and how it currently provides $33 million in annual funding to support the district at www.peoriaunified.org.
Read the latest edition of unifiED magazine at www.peoriaunified.org/unified.